Our editorial team was among the many first to thoroughly research, evaluate and pick the perfect credit repair firms available in the market. Since 2016, we’ve spent hundreds of hours investigating the industry and vetting around two dozen national providers.
We’ve compared credit repair firms on 15+ data points, including fees, plans, customer feedback and industry fame. Based on this extensive research, we picked the highest credit repair firms available in the market, including Credit Saint, Sky Blue Credit and the Credit Pros.
Money’s Important Takeaways
- Credit repair involves reviewing your credit report for inaccuracies and disputing them with the reporting agencies.
- You may repair your credit history yourself, but hiring a credit repair service may be helpful in case your report has multiple mistakes.
- Credit repair firms evaluate your credit report and dispute any errors in your behalf with the credit bureaus and your lenders.
- Some firms also offer ongoing credit consultations and extra financial tools, like credit and identity theft monitoring.
- The method may be time-consuming, often lasting as much as a yr.
Why Trust Us?
Our editorial staff has greater than a decade of experience with the credit and credit repair services industry. We review credit repair firms independently, ensuring our content is accurate and guided by editorial integrity. Read our full methodology to learn more.
- 22 firms reviewed
- 10+ data points used, including pricing, services and customer support
- 100+ sources reviewed
Our Top Picks for Best Credit Repair Firms
The businesses listed below are in alphabetical order.
Best Credit Repair Reviews
- Easy pricing structure
- Customer support available through phone, chat or email
- Low one-time first work fee ($19)
- Unlimited challenges with all three bureaus
- No credit monitoring
- No financial management tools
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monthly fee:
- $99, $119 or $599 six-month flat rate
- Set-up fee:
- $19 (No setup fees with six-month plan)
- Money-back guarantee:
- Cancel at any time and you will not be charged for that month of service. Should you select the flat-fee plan, you could have a full six-month satisfaction guarantee
Why we selected this company: We selected The Credit People as the perfect option for low startup fees because the corporate only charges $19. This sets it other than competitors, which normally charge around $79 or more to establish your account and pull your credit report.
Moreover, The Credit People offers a superb money-back guarantee. The corporate permits you to cancel your subscription at any time when you would like and refunds each the last and former month’s payment. Most credit repair firms, then again, have a 90-day money-back guarantee or only refund you for the last month of service.
The Credit People’s interface can be a plus — you may monitor updates to your credit report or rating from all three credit bureaus from their easy-to-use online dashboard. It also permits you to track open disputes and connect with customer support if you could have any questions.
The three memberships offered by The Credit People include the next credit repair services:
Flat-rate Plan
$599 One-time fee
- Credit rating before and after negative items are removed
- Unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus
- Credit rating from all bureaus updated monthly
- Unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus
- Same advantages because the premium plan
- Cancel at any and get a refund for the remaining months
- Financial management tools and credit monitoring included with every plan
- Live chat available
- Certified FICO professionals
- No setup fee
- Basic credit repair package only includes one credit dispute
- 24/7 phone support is not available
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monthly fee:
- $69, $129 or $149
- Set-up fee:
- $119, $129 or $149
- Money-back guarantee:
- 90 days
Why we selected this company: Many credit repair firms offer extra perks only with their costliest plan. We selected The Credit Pros as Best for Bonus Features because it offers useful financial management tools in any respect price tiers.
The plans include tools like bill reminders and a budgeting system that syncs to your accounts in real time. In addition they feature TransUnion alerts to trace credit rating changes and dark web monitoring to examine in case your personal information (like your Social Security number or address) was leaked.
Essentially the most comprehensive plan, the Success Plus, also permits you to access reports and scores from the three credit bureaus and a credit builder loan that might help improve your credit history should you make timely payments.
All plans include access to The Credit Pros’ mobile app, which permits you to review disputes, receive real-time updates and monitor your credit rating and report.
The corporate’s free consultation is out there in English and Spanish, something not common within the credit repair industry. Nevertheless, note that its initial work fee is higher than many other competitors’ — $119 for its low and medium tier plans and $149 for its premium plan.
- $119 one-time initial work fee
- One-bureau report and scores
- ID Cover Darkweb monitoring
- $129 one-time initial work fee
- Same features because the Money Management plan
- Three-bureau Credit bureau challenges
- $149 one-time initial work fee
- Same features because the Prosperity plan
- Access to credit builder loan (if interested)
- Three-bureau reports and scores
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Clear pricing policies
- Online sign-up available
- Online chat available weekdays from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Service not available in South Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Maine and Washington, D.C.
- First work fee of as much as $195
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monthly fee:
- $79.99 – $139.99
- Set-up fee:
- $99 – $195
- Money-back guarantee:
- 90 days
Why we selected this company: Credit Saint is our pick for Best Overall due to its clear pricing policies and comprehensive package options.
The corporate offers three credit repair packages: Credit Polish, Credit Remodel and Clean Slate. The packages — which range from $79.99 to $139.99 — differ in what number of claims they’ll dispute a month, from five claims with the fundamental “Credit Polish” plan to an infinite amount with the premium “Clean Slate” plan.
Each package also encompasses a different suite of economic tools. The fundamental plan, for example, features a credit rating tracker, while the best tier plan adds credit and identity theft monitoring, lost wallet protection and more.
Credit Saint offers a free consultation to judge your particular situation and discover the following steps it’s best to take. When you join with them, the corporate assigns an advisory team to your case and schedules calls to maintain you informed.
Credit Saint also provides a credit rating evaluation and academic content to assist customers higher understand their credit. Some plans also include a customized guide to constructing credit. Moreover, the corporate offers a 90-day money-back guarantee should you don’t see any changes in your credit history after three months.
Credit Remodel
$99.99 p/m
- $99 one-time initial work fee
- Challenges to the three Credit Bureaus
- Rating Evaluation
- Rating Tracker
- Access to Educational Content
- 90 Day Money Back Guarantee
- Creditor Intervention Letters
- $99 one-time initial work fee
- Same as Credit Polish plan
- Creditor Intervention Letters
- Inquiry Targeting
- Personalized Guide to Constructing Credit
- Access to Educational Content
- One-Bureau Report and Scores
- Real-Time Account Sync
- AI software analyzes your credit reports to discover negative items
- Routinely generates dispute letters based in your credit situation
- Keeps track of your credit rating and disputes with an easy-to-read dashboard
- Monthly plans include identity theft insurance
- It’s essential to mail the dispute letters yourself
- No credit experts to help you
- No money-back guarantee
- No credit consultations
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monthly fee:
- $24.95 – 29.95
- Set-up fees:
- None
- Money-back guarantee:
- None
Why we selected this company: Credit Versio is our pick for Best for DIY Credit Repair since it’s a low-cost alternative to traditional crexdit repair services and simplifies the customarily complicated credit repair process.
Despite the fact that you may dispute credit inaccuracies yourself without charge, the method may be time-consuming and stressful. Credit repair software, Credit Versio, might help streamline this process.
The corporate’s software uses artificial intelligence to scan your credit reports for negative items which may be lowering your credit rating. It then organizes them based on the credit bureau that reported it.
Should you discover a mistake, the software can generate tailored dispute letters based in your credit information and why you suspect that item is inaccurate.All you could have to do is print out the letter and mail it to the credit bureau.
Credit Versio offers three plans that provide unlimited dispute letters and monthly credit reports and scores. Two offer you access to SmartCredit’s credit monitoring platform, and the most costly plan also includes IdentityIQ, an identity theft protection service.
Adding these services lets Credit Versio keep track of any changes to your credit report in case it’s good to send out more dispute letters.
smartcredit BASIC
$24.95 p/m
smartcredit PREMIUM
$29.95 p/m
- Monthly 3-Bureau reports & scores
- Identity insurance as much as $1 million
- Credit monitoring alerts from TransUnion
- Access to Smartcredit Money Manager
- Two monthly Transunion Report & rating
- Monthly 3-Bureau reports & scores
- Identity insurance as much as $1 million
- Credit monitoring alerts from TransUnion
- Access to Smartcredit Money Manager
- Unlimited Transunion Report & rating updates
- Online contact options
- Free credit assessment
- Monthly Transunion FICO® rating updates
- Settled a lawsuit filed by the CFPB that alleged it collected advance fees illegally through telemarketing
- No satisfaction guarantee
- Only as much as 3 Experian interventions per thirty days
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monthly fee:
- $119.95
- Money-back guarantee:
- None
Why we selected this company: Lexington Law is our pick for industry leader because of its 20 years of experience and almost nationwide availability (every state except in Oregon).
Since it’s a law firm and its staff is generally attorneys and paralegals, the corporate is alleged to explore every legal avenue to correct inaccuracies in your credit report.
The corporate offers a single credit repair package for $139.95 per thirty days, but Money readers can access a reduced price of $119.95 in the event that they join through this page. The plan includes challenges to all three credit bureaus, creditor intervention letters and as much as $1 million in identity theft insurance. You furthermore mght get personalized credit rating improvement strategies to assist improve your overall credit health.
If you desire to track your credit progress, Lexington has a highly ranked mobile app where users have 24/7 access to their credit rating evaluation, personalized counseling plan and dispute updates.
Nevertheless, Lexington Law has had its share of legal problems. In November 2023, it settled a lawsuit from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which had alleged the corporate illegally charged upfront fees through telemarketing. The corporate is not any longer conducting phone sales operations pursuant to the terms of their agreement.
Despite this, Lexington Law stays a robust player within the industry and offers the advantage of getting an experienced law firm handling your case.
- 50% discount for couples
- Repair as much as 15 items every 35 days
- Online sign-up available
- Pause your subscription at any time when you want
- No financial tools, corresponding to credit rating tracker
- Credit disputes limited to 5 per bureau every 35 days
HIGHLIGHTS
- Monthly fee:
- $79, $99 or $119 for people ($119, $149 or $179 for couples)
- Set-up fee:
- $79 or $99
- Money-back guarantee:
- 90 days
Why we selected this company: Sky Blue Credit Repair is our pick for best value since it offers low-cost credit-repair packages that include nearly all the pieces it’s good to clean up your credit report quickly.
For $79 a month, Sky Blue provides a basic package that features credit bureau disputes, three-bureau reports and scores, one-on-one consultations, an internet client portal and a credit rating tracker.
The corporate also offers a full service and a premium package for $99 and $199 a month, respectively. These include all the pieces in the fundamental one in addition to creditor interventions, debt validation letters, stop and desist letters, personal information correction letters, credit-building tools and more.
The corporate may also assist you to organize a technique to enhance your credit rating, and you may schedule consultations if you could have questions on anything credit-related, like bank card offers or loan applications.
It’s also value noting that Sky Blue Credit Repair offers one of the vital flexible subscriptions available on the market. If you desire to skip a month of service without canceling your subscription, you may request a pause through your online account.
You will not be charged while your account is paused, and you may resume the subscription when needed. This might prevent money on startup fees, which most credit repair firms charge at any time when you begin using their services.
Its credit repair plans include:
Premium
$119 p/m
($179 for couples)
Full Service
$99 p/m
($149 for couples)
Basic
$79 p/m
($119 for couples)
- The whole lot in Full Service Plan
- Monthly Inquiry Disputes
- Debt Validation Letters
- Stop and Desist letters
- Personal Information Correction Letters
- The whole lot in Basic Plan
- Creditor interventions
- Inquiry disputes
- Debt validation letters
- Stop and desist letters
- Personal information correction letters
- 45-Day credit updates
- Credit builder tool
- Three-bureau reports and scores
- Credit bureaus disputes
- One-on-one consultations
- Rating tracker
- 24/7 access to client portal
- 60-Day credit updates
Other credit repair firms we considered
We researched dozens of firms within the means of compiling our list of the highest credit repair services. Some firms, nevertheless, didn’t make the cut. These are a few of them:
Safeport
Safeport Law charges $129.99 monthly for a credit repair package that features challenges to the three foremost credit bureaus, creditor interventions and a credit rating evaluation and tracker. Nevertheless, the corporate only offers one service plan, while most of our foremost picks offer two or more. Also, it charges a $129 setup fee, which is higher in comparison with firms with similar service plans.
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Credit rating tracker and evaluation
- 24/7 online progress tracking
- Just one credit repair plan
- Higher setup fee than competitors with similar service plans
Credit Glory
Credit Glory doesn’t show plans and pricing information clearly on their website, making it difficult for potential customers to make well-informed decisions.
- Customer support available on weekends
- Phone line available to contact credit experts directly
- No information on pricing and services available on the corporate website
- Can only join by calling
CreditRepair.com
CreditRepair.com offers several credit repair plans starting at $69.95. It features a free, online initial assessment, your credit rating, a negative item summary and a customized credit repair plan. Nevertheless, they don’t have a money-back guarantee, which other firms include at that price point.
- Free online credit assessment
- Online chat available
- Enroll with a friend or member of the family and each get a 50% discount on the primary payment
- Settled a lawsuit filed by the CFPB that alleged it collected advance fees illegally through telemarketing
Trinity Credit Services
Trinity Credit Services has over nine years within the credit repair business. The corporate offers a free credit report evaluation and a customized credit repair plan, which you may keep track of online. Nevertheless, the corporate is not clear about service costs and setup fees on their website. Moreover, they don’t provide details about guarantees.
- Free credit report evaluation
- Track the dispute process online
- No details about services and costs
Pyramid Credit Repair
Pyramid Credit Repair has over ten years of experience, and it’s one in all the few credit repair firms offering 24/7 customer support. Nevertheless, this profit is barely available with the corporate’s priciest plan ($179 monthly fee with a first-work fee of the identical amount). As well as, its cheaper plans ($89 and $129) include fewer advantages than similarly priced plans from competitors.
- Offers 24/7 customer support (with the premium plan)
- Features a rating evaluation and online portal
AMB Credit Consultants
AMB Credit Consultants has been in business for greater than 10 years, but there are some drawbacks to its services. For instance, it doesn’t offer a free credit consultation, and you should subscribe to a monthly credit monitoring plan from IdentityIQ for $24.99 before scheduling a consultation.
- Over ten years of experience
- Discount for couples
- Must commit to no less than 6-9 months of service
- Must pay for a monthly credit monitoring subscription before the initial consultation
- Extra fee for third-party credit monitoring
Creditfirm.net
CreditFirm.net charges $49.99 per thirty days for people ($89.99 for couples), which is comparatively inexpensive in comparison with other firms. But the corporate doesn’t offer a free credit consultation, money-back guarantee or additional finance tools.
- No setup fees
- Couples discount available
- Cancel any time
- Unlimited disputes to creditors
- Monthly credit monitoring not available
- No money-back guarantee
- Outdated website is tough to navigate
- Customers must send in credit reports themselves
Credit Assistance Network
The Credit Assistance Network’s website is outdated and hard to navigate. There’s little to no information regarding the corporate’s fame on third-party party review sites. Moreover, the corporate doesn’t offer credit repair services. As an alternative, it forwards you to The Credit Pros, one in all our foremost picks. With this in mind, we recommend signing up with The Credit Pros directly.
- 20% discount for friends or spouses
- Includes personal finance tools
- Credit restoration services managed by The Credit Pros (one in all our foremost picks)
- Outdated or unclear information on its website
Credit Repair Guide
Credit report mistakes are way more common than you may think. And, while you may remove inaccurate information out of your credit report yourself, the method is usually frustrating and time consuming.
A credit repair agency could make this process easier by doing the heavy lifting for you — obtaining your reports, finding inaccuracies and disputing any mistakes in your behalf directly with lenders and credit bureaus. Nevertheless, many firms make false claims and lure customers into paying for services that will not deliver any results.
Table of Contents
What’s credit repair?
Credit repair is the means of improving one’s credit history and rating. It often involves reviewing your credit history for inaccuracies and disputing them with the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion).
You may repair your credit report yourself totally free. Moreover, you could possibly consider hiring a credit repair company, which reviews your reports for mistakes and disputes them by contacting the credit bureaus in your behalf.
Taking the time to repair your credit can raise your credit rating, which might improve your approval odds for the best bank cards and loans, and assist you to qualify for more favorable rates of interest.
How does credit repair work?
Whether you do it yourself or hire an organization, credit repair normally involves:
- Requesting your credit reports from the foremost credit bureaus
- Reviewing them for inaccurate information
- Filing a dispute with the credit bureau that generated the report that has errors
Per the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA), you could have the proper to dispute any information you suspect is inaccurate. The credit reporting agencies must investigate inside 30 days and delete the item out of your report if found to be erroneous. Also they are required to send you the outcomes of the investigation inside five business days of completing it.
Note that you simply (and credit repair firms) can only remove inaccurate information out of your credit report. In case your report doesn’t have errors, it’s best to deal with paying your bills on time, keeping a low credit utilization ratio and reducing your total debt.
How do credit repair firms work?
Credit repair firms start the method by reviewing your credit reports for errors and outdated information, like accounts that do not belong to your or collections which are older than seven years.
If you desire to move on with the method, a representative can have you sign a limited power of attorney contract. This document gives the corporate the legal right to act in your behalf. When you sign the contract, the corporate will start disputing inaccurate items along with your creditors and the main credit bureaus.
The perfect credit repair firms may even track your disputes’ progress and update you continuously on the status of every disputed item. They are going to normally send progress reports together with an updated copy of your credit report so you may review the changes.
How long does it take to repair your credit?
“The period of time it takes varies greatly depending upon all and sundry’s unique circumstances and other actions they take to enhance their credit,” says Thomas Nitzsche, Sr. Director of Media and Brand for credit counseling agency Money Management International.
For instance, Nitzsche says it’s possible you’ll see a credit rating increase in around one to 3 months once errors are disputed and faraway from your report. Then again, accurate negative items, like late bank card payments, stay in your file for seven years.
How long do negative items affect your credit rating?
The impact of negative information lessens as time goes on. “It’s difficult to say how much of an impact different negative items on a report can have, however the older an account is, the less impact it has on a rating,” explained Becky House, Director of Strategic Initiatives for credit counseling agency American Financial Solutions.
Nitzsche also mentioned that how much a negative item lowers your rating is dependent upon the person’s credit profile. For instance, the effect must be less drastic if you could have other credit lines in good standing. “Because of this it is vital to take proactive steps to get trade lines back into good standing or to create latest ones reporting positively,” added Nitzsche.
House also identified that lenders can have different guidelines on which negative items they’re willing to simply accept when evaluating a borrower’s credit history. “For example, one lender could also be okay funding a loan for somebody who had a negative credit mark three years ago; one other lender can have a risk policy that denies loans if someone has that information on their credit report.”
What it’s best to know before hiring a credit repair company
There are some things to be mindful if you’re attempting to rebuild your credit history:
Not all negative items may be removed
A red flag that an organization is scamming you is that if it guarantees it might probably remove all negative items out of your report. Late payments, hard inquiries, charge-offs, repossessions and debt collections can only be removed if the data is inaccurate or outdated. If a negative item is correct, it generally stays in your report for seven years — and as much as 10 years for Chapter 7 bankruptcies.
For more information on other potential red flags, take a look at Warning signs of a credit repair scam.
Deleted items can reappear in your credit report
Deleted items can reappear in your report if the bank, bank card company or debt collector reports them to the bureaus again. House mentioned that this normally happens if the reporting company believes the disputed item is valid.
You (or the credit repair company) can file a latest dispute. Nevertheless, House says it must be reframed or updated to higher explain why the data in your report is fallacious. You may accomplish that by providing additional documentation to support your claim.
You may need to do among the legwork
You’ll have to supply credit repair agencies with documentation to support disputes of negative information in your credit report.
Most firms have setup fees
Most credit repair firms charge an initial fee (also called setup or first work fee) that may range anywhere between $15 to $200. This fee is used to establish your account, which can involve gathering your personal and financial information and creating a technique plan in your particular credit situation.
Firms can’t charge you prematurely for his or her services
When you pay the setup fee (if required), firms can’t make any additional charges unless they prove that the services offered to you of their contract are being fulfilled.
You’ve three business days to cancel a contract without incurring any penalties
The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) states that you could have the proper to back out of a contract inside three business days of signing it with none charges or cancellation fees.
Methods to select the proper credit repair company
These are some aspects to be mindful to avoid credit repair scams:
1. Look out for false guarantees
Legitimate credit repair firms won’t ever guarantee they will remove accurate information out of your report or promise you a latest credit identity, for instance.
For steps on the right way to cope with negative items that can not be disputed, read our guide on the right way to repair weak credit.
2. Check for Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) compliance
Be certain the corporate you select follows CROA guidelines, which establishes clear directives that legitimate credit repair agencies should follow. In keeping with the CROA, credit repair firms must:
- Provide a written contract explaining their services intimately, including service costs, guarantees and an estimate of how long the method will take
3. Read customer reviews
You may check sources like Google Reviews, the Higher Business Bureau (BBB) and Yelp to gauge customer experience. Should you read multiple reviews alleging similar sorts of issues, you may consider it a red flag. Nevertheless, we recommend complementing what you read with further research since many individuals post reviews after they’re unhappy with a service, not after they’re satisfied.
4. Check the regulatory agencies
When looking for the proper credit repair company for you, it’s idea to examine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) criticism database and check what number of complaints — if any — have been filed against that specific provider.
5. Compare fees and costs
Reputable credit repair firms will list their prices and services clearly, so consumers can select the proper package for his or her needs.
6. Look for private finance tools
Besides their standard credit repair services, some credit repair agencies offer personal finance tools like bill reminders, budgeting software and credit monitoring. Moreover, they might offer free credit consultations, satisfaction guarantees and identity theft protection services.
When to contemplate a credit counseling service
If you could have weak credit, Thomas Nitzsche from Money Management International recommends contacting a credit counseling service as soon as possible. He emphasized that buyers shouldn’t wait until they need to lift their rating (corresponding to before buying a house or automotive) to get help. “Constructing credit rating takes time and must be began as soon as someone is aware they’ve weak credit.”
A credit counseling service can assist you to improve your financial situation overall, not only dispute credit report mistakes. “They work with people to handle their entire financial picture in addition to the person’s goals. The goal is to have a sustainable budget, repayment structure for debts and construct or rebuild a positive credit history,” noted Becky House from American Financial Solutions.
Bear in mind that a credit counseling service won’t dispute errors in your behalf. Nevertheless, Nitzsche mentioned that they will offer advice on the right way to do it yourself and the right way to construct your credit moving forward.
Moreover, credit counselors offer resources and workshops on budgeting, debt consolidation, debt management plans (DMP), bankruptcy, housing and more.
Note that credit counseling services are often non-profit, but a few of their services do carry a small fee of as much as around $50. Should you’re focused on consulting a credit counselor, you will discover a licensed one through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
Warning signs of a credit repair scam
The credit repair industry has its share of controversies and scams. With this in mind, it is vital to acknowledge red flags that indicate an organization may be engaging in questionable practices.
In keeping with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a credit repair company may be deceiving you if it:
- Asks for upfront fees before it provides any services
- Claims it might probably remove all negative information out of your report, even when it’s accurate and up-to-date
- Advises you to dispute correct information in your credit report
- Says you mustn’t contact the credit bureaus yourself
- Doesn’t inform you of your rights, including the power to cancel your contract with the corporate inside three business days after signing it
- Doesn’t provide a written contract outlining details corresponding to service costs and guarantees
- Asks you to waive any of your rights under the CROA
- Offers you a “latest” credit identity or profile
Try to be particularly wary of firms that guarantee they will remove accurate collections out of your credit report, as House warned that this motion may lead to a possible lawsuit.
“We now have seen this trigger lawsuits against consumers that resulted in garnishments. The person owed the debt, was advised to dispute it and did, and the gathering agency then filed suit to acquire a garnishment,” House explained.
Credit Repair FAQs
How much does credit repair cost?
Credit repair agencies typically charge between $50 to $150 per thirty days, depending on the service plan you select. In addition they charge a setup fee (also called initial or first work fee) that is often an identical price to the monthly subscription.
How can I fix my credit rating?
There are steps you may take to repair your credit. Nevertheless, the proper ones for you rely on your particular financial situation. In case your credit reports contain errors or outdated information, it’s best to dispute these directly with the credit bureaus or hire a credit repair company to assist you to. If not, it’s idea to deal with paying your bills on time and reducing your overall debt.
How long does it take to repair credit?
The credit repair process does take time, and the period of time it takes can rely on whether the items which are causing a low rating are correct or not. If there are mistakes in your credit that may be corrected by disputing them with the bureaus, the repair process can take just a few months. If the aspects which are impacting your credit are correct, the method can take a yr or more and involves reducing your bank card debt, lowering your credit utilization ratio and more.
Credit repair services can assist you to remove inaccurate or outdated negative marks out of your credit report. Nevertheless, in case your credit report is correct, you’ll need to enhance your credit yourself or attend credit counseling. Also, note that you would be able to remove credit reporting mistakes on your individual totally free by submitting disputes with each credit bureau.
Can I repair my very own credit?
Yes, you may do all of the steps that credit repair firms do totally free. The foremost credit bureaus have online systems where you may dispute inaccurate or outdated information in your credit report. They are going to investigate inside 30 days and take away the inaccurate information in case your claim is valid.
How We Selected the Best Credit Repair Firms
Since we first began reviewing credit repair firms in 2016, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching the industry and vetting its major players.
As a part of this research, members of our editorial staff have sought out first-hand experience with among the names included in our list. Moreover, we re-evaluate our top picks every month to supply readers with the most modern information on each these services and credit repair typically.
To decide on the perfect credit repair firms, we evaluated the next aspects:
Transparency: We considered whether firms provided clear, upfront details about their prices, fees, services, guarantees, terms and conditions and privacy policies.
Pricing and discounts: We compared firms’ service plans based on cost, favoring providers that offered multiple options at several price points. We also considered their setup fees, also generally known as first-work fees. We also noted any available discounts, corresponding to for couples or service members.
Services: All credit repair services claim to review and dispute inaccurate and/or outdated information that’s affecting your credit history. Nevertheless, we favored firms that offered quite a lot of services tailored to different budgets and that also offered additional services, corresponding to free credit consultations, creditor interventions and stop and desist or goodwill letters.
Financial tools: We checked whether firms offered financial tools that may help consumers improve their credit, corresponding to a credit rating tracker, monthly credit reports and/or identity theft monitoring.
Client portal: Firms that offered a portal or app for clients to trace their dispute status and credit repair progress stood out from the competition.
Money-back guarantee and cancellation policy: We favored firms that offered refunds or guarantees in the event that they couldn’t remove or correct errors out of your credit report inside 90 days. We also preferred firms that didn’t charge cancellation fees.
Customer Support: We preferred firms that offered several contact options like online chat, support forms and email, which might improve their responsiveness to customer issues or complaints.
User experience: Beyond pricing and services, we also took under consideration the convenience of use of every company website and if the data provided was up so far.
Service area: We considered the variety of states where the businesses operate and prioritized those which are available nationwide.
Company history: Our top picks are reputable credit repair services which have been around for greater than ten years and garner mostly positive customer reviews across different platforms.
Customer satisfaction: We checked reviews across third-party review web sites, corresponding to the Higher Business Bureau, to gauge customer satisfaction and any patterns of complaints regarding an organization’s services.
Regulatory actions: We searched for any history of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) violations and searched the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Database to examine these firms’ history of customer complaints or enforcement actions.
Summary of Money’s Best Credit Repair Firms
The businesses listed below are in alphabetical order.